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  • Now Very Bad’s 2016 Oscar Predictions…

    Now Very Bad’s 2016 Oscar Predictions…

    The Academy asked me to hold off on my predictions for the 2016 Academy Awards until tonight so I wouldn’t influence the voters. I understand. Frankly, I didn’t get to see a lot of the pictures yet, which makes me qualified to be an official Oscar voter. That plus the fact that I’m a white male…

    I’m not watching the Oscars tonight. I really enjoy the spectacle generally, but I am passing this time. I really feel the #OscarsSoWhite movement is an important one. I stand with Spike and Jada…

    Nevertheless, I am a huge movie fan. So I’m going to leave you with a few thoughts and 140 character reviews of some of the nominees. Some of these have links to my full review, but a bunch of them I’ve seen only within the past couple of weeks and haven’t reviewed yet. (I actually only saw The Revenant this morning, Ex Machina last night, Spotlight yesterday and The Big Short Friday night.)

    So now, without further ado, here are my thoughts for the February 28th telecast of the Oscars:

    Best Picture:

    Someone needs to explain to me this whole number of nominees thing. For years there were only five, which was too few. But instead of upping it to ten, they have this weird criteria. But they are allowed ten. So you should have ten. Every time. It’s totally inexcusable that Ex Machina and Chi-Raq weren’t included here, and there are other pictures that had deserved those extra slots. No, Chi-Raq isn’t on the face of it a “Best Picture”, but it’s unbelievably timely and unique. And Bridge of Spies, while excellent, is in no way on the same level of import as some of the others.

    If anything other than The Big Short wins, I’m calling shenanigans…

    140 Character Reviews:

    Bridge of Spies (2015): Exactly what it looks like. Maybe best example of a note-perfect film that no one in the world asked for. Talented people not exerting much.

    Brooklyn (2015): Yes, you’ve seen and read stories like this before. It isn’t unique. But there’s something to be said for doing something well, nay perfect.

    Mad Max: Fury Road (2015): Original filmmaker Miller returns to his most famous (human) character with intense, unrelenting, disturbing & completely nuts thrill ride.

    Room (2015): I’m sorry. I just ran out of time. I really do want to see this. It looks great, and Brie Larson is sure to win without my help…

    Spotlight (2015): Less about church scandal than power and vitality of journalism. Wonderfully executed with few factual missteps; but some are pretty bad…

    The Big Short (2015): One of single best examples of masterful adaptation of a difficult subject matter. The book is excellent, but the film is truly sublime…

    The Martian (2015): If you haven’t read the book, you’ll love it almost without qualification. If you have, it can never be as satisfying, but it’s still great.

    The Revenant (2015): Fantastic if your idea of good time is watching people eat raw meat & get violently & graphically maimed. Gorgeous achievement but overlong.

    Nominees for other awards:

    140 Character Reviews:

    Ex Machina (2015): This is EXACTLY what great science fiction looks like. AI is our future; more stories coming. Superbly written, acted & paced. Masterpiece.

    Straight Outta Compton (2015): More than a simple biopic, time capsule of tumultuous age. Missing some important players, still mostly candid/truthful. Punches own weight.

    The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (2013 – US 2015): Lovely, funny adaptation of quirky Swedish novel. Hints of Being There/Forrest Gump in no way detract from triumph. Full of fun characters.

    Inside Out (2015): Typical Pixar magic from co-director Pete Docter w/ great emotional stuff leading to leaky eyes & lots of laughs. So why didn’t it grab me?

    Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015): No surprise that House of Mouse would give fans EXACTLY what they clamored for. Careful what you wish for. Equal parts great & derivative…

    Cinderella (2015): Typically well-made live-action update of classic fairy tale is aggressively ok. Far too long for little ones to sit still – parents, too…

    Should Be Here / Robbed:

    Jason Mitchell’s performance as Eric “Eazy-E” Wright in Straight Outta Compton was noteworthy and probably should have earned him a nod…

    Chi-Raq is the most important film that came out last year. Yes, it’s a bit of a mixed bag, but it deserves to be part of the national conversation…

    Ian McKellen was absolutely robbed of a nomination…

    140 Character Reviews:

    Chi-Raq (2015): Spike’s latest joint is his most important & timely ever; high praise indeed considering his previous work. #MostImportantAmericanFilmmaker

    Mr. Holmes (2015): Unsurprisingly brilliant performance by the always dependable Ian McKellen as the world’s first private consulting detective, now retired…

  • Terry Pratchett: My 10 Favorite Quotes

    Terry Pratchett: My 10 Favorite Quotes

    In 2004, Terry Pratchett came to Boston to be the Guest of Honor at WorldCon and did the first local signing in the over ten years I’d been reading his books. It was at the Boston Public Library. My wife & daughter were both ill, so I went by myself. (My wife would later get to see him speak a few years later at Harvard.)

    I expected the usual book signing experience – author reads a bit, takes a couple of questions, then signs til hand falls off. But Pterry came out and put on a one-man show, talking at length about a variety of subjects for nearly 2 hours. He was charming, hysterical, insightful and everything his writing led you to expect.

    Afterwards, I waited for nearly as long in line to see him. I was quite literally the last person in line since I’d gone off to make a phone call to check on my family right after the talk. He chatted and signed a book for everyone, despite how late it was getting and how much time he’d already spent at this gig.

    When I finally reached the front I asked if he wouldn’t mind signing two books, since neither of my girls could be there. He said, “Well, I’m only supposed to sign one but it’s the back of the queue” and graciously signed them, commenting on how pretty my daughter Moira’s name was and shook my hand.

    I was truly honored to meet such a great man.

    “The thing about witchcraft,” said Mistress Weatherwax, “is that it’s not like school at all. First you get the test, and then afterward you spend years findin’ out how you passed it. It’s a bit like life in that respect.”

    You passed, Terry…

     My top 10 favorite Pterry quotes:

    1. “We are here and this is now.” – Night Watch
    2. “But there are causes worth dying for,” said Butterfly. “No, there aren’t! Because you’ve only got one life but you can pick up another five causes on any street corner!” “Good grief, how can you live with a philosophy like that?” Rincewind took a deep breath. “Continuously!” – Interesting Times
    3. “I will give you some free advice.” “Will it cost me anything?” “You could say it is priceless. Are you listening?” “Yes.” “Good. Now … if you trust in yourself…” “Yes?” “… and believe in your dreams…” “Yes?” “… and follow your star…” “Yes?” “… you’ll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren’t so lazy.” – The Wee Free Men
    4. “What is there in this world that makes living worthwhile?” Death thought about it. CATS, he said finally. CATS ARE NICE. – Sourcery
    5. “The reward you get for digging holes is a bigger shovel.” – I Shall Wear Midnight
    6. “Sometimes it’s better to light a flamethrower than curse the darkness.” – Men at Arms
    7. “It’s vital to remember who you really are. It’s very important. It isn’t a good idea to rely on other people or things to do it for you, you see. They always get it wrong.” – Sourcery
    8. “Or, to put it another way, the existence of a badly put-together watch proved the existence of a blind watchmaker.” – Small Gods
    9. “Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened.” – Moving Pictures
    10. “Give a man a fire and he’s warm for a day, but set fire to him and he’s warm for the rest of his life.” – Jingo

    Honorable mention:

    • “Winners never talk about glorious victories. That’s because they’re the ones who see what the battlefield looks like afterward. It’s only the losers who have glorious victories.” – Small Gods
    • “The reason that clichés become clichés is that they are the hammers and screwdrivers in the toolbox of communication.” – Guards! Guards!
    • “They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.”  – Equal Rites
    • THAT’S MORTALS FOR YOU, Death continued. THEY’VE ONLY GOT A FEW YEARS IN THIS WORLD AND THEY SPEND THEM ALL IN MAKING THINGS COMPLICATED FOR THEMSELVES. – Mort
    • William wondered why he always disliked people who said “no offense meant.” Maybe it was because they found it easier to say “no offense meant”than actually refrain from giving offense. – The Truth
    • “You get a wonderful view from the point of no return.” – Making Money
    • “Logic is a wonderful thing but doesn’t always beat actual thought.” – The Last Continent
    • “I have no use for people who have learned the limits of the possible.” – The Last Hero
    • “I commend my soul to any god that can find it.” – Going Postal
    • “His progress through life was hampered by his tremendous sense of his own ignorance, a disability which affects all too few people.” – Maskerade

    Thanks to:

    http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Discworld

    http://www.co.uk.lspace.org/books/pqf/index.html

  • Now Very Bat…75 years of Batman

    Now Very Bat…75 years of Batman

    Batman turned 75 years old earlier this year (2014). In recognition, we are rebranding our site for one week to Now Very Bat… and focusing on the blockbusters, the smaller films, the comics and the video games that feature the Dark Knight.

    The first superhero I was aware of may have been Spider-Man. I remember seeing him in a department store as a kid – he gave me a Spidey ring that I may still have somewhere. I saw him on The Electric Company and maybe the newspaper. I will always have great affection for the web-slinger. And I loved Supes. I knew the music from Superman: The Motion Picture as well as any of John Williams works and still love the Man of Steel. (The man, not the movie Man of Steel – that sucked.) But Batman was always my favorite.

    Partly it’s because he’s just a man. Incredibly strong billionaire, yes, but still just a human without superpowers. Partly it’s because he fashions himself as a detective. The idea that his first instinct when fighting crime is to use the same methods as the police somewhat lessens the vigilante stance. He uses his head more than his fists.

    But more than anything, he’s just cool. He looks cool, he has cool gadgets, he hides in the dark and scares people. He was the first superhero to choose to do what he does; he had a backstory, not an atomic-era accident that turned him into something. That darkness is what keeps the character fresh.

    Most of that darkness is thanks to Bill Finger. I won’t be reviewing it here, but check out the 2012 kids book Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman by Marc Tyler Nobleman & Ty Templeton. Amazing that it would take a children’s book to truly bring the full story of Bill Finger to life. As the title suggests, Bill was the unsung co-creator of Batman. His part in bringing to life one of the most popular and beloved comic characters of all time was unknown to most people, and even those who were aware there was a story there likely didn’t realize how instrumental he was.

    Bat Toys
    The Batman figure and the Batmobile pictured here were left for me by the Tooth Fairy after I lost my first tooth!

    Batman had the best writers and best storylines, and he had, by far, the best villains. The Joker is the single greatest comic book villain of all time, and the rest of Batman’s Rogues Gallery could successfully populate any other 5 series you name.

    Over the 7 days, we’ll be looking at a Batman title in each of 4 categories: blockbuster film, other film, comic book & video game. So stay tuned to this Bat-Channel!

  • Now Very Beholder…40 years of Dungeons & Dragons

    Now Very Beholder…40 years of Dungeons & Dragons

    Dungeons & Dragons turned 40 years old in January of this year (2014). In recognition, we are rebranding our site for one week to Now Very Beholder… and focusing just on the films that star or in some way revolve around D&D.

    Dungeons and Dragons

    I love Dungeons & Dragons. It was a big part of my life as a kid, it was one of the main ways I kept out of trouble as a teenager and despite not playing in years still holds great interest for me as an adult. I may not have had an active game in decades, but I still consider myself a D&D gamer. It’s the lens through which I view fantasy novels and films, and I still feel protective of the game and the way gamers are portrayed.

    I was lucky to grow up in an open-minded, supportive town and school system that never fell in with the hysteria surrounding the supposed dangers of the game. I was even luckier to have two attentive, loving parents that not only weren’t swayed by the ridiculous claims that the game was dark, occult propaganda, but took the time to take an interest in what this thing was that my sister and I were so fascinated by. I remember a lot of miniatures under the Christmas tree in our house.

    Dungeons and Dragons

    Games are important. Whether sports, board games, card games, tabletop role-playing games (RPGs), live action role-play (LARP), fantasy football, dice, or playing cops and robbers in the backyard, games are arguably human-kinds greatest pastime. Whether for diversion, entertainment or profession, engaging in games develops vital skills and abilities for life.

    Many learned people more erudite than I can and have written pieces on how vital role-play is in the development of imagination, confidence, identity, strategic thinking, and emotional growth. I’ll just say that I consider RPGs in general and Dungeons & Dragons in specific fantastic tools in developing creative and interesting members of our society, regardless of how they experience or participate in the games.

    Dungeons and Dragons

    But whether LARPing or sitting around a table, there’s something truly special about the human interaction that really is the root of all of these experiences. I am an avowed tech geek and have long wished for the creation of a great technological system for enabling people to belly up to a digital table and really recreate that experience. (There’s lots of workarounds and tools, but I have yet to see something that really works seamlessly and feels like a suitable replacement for meeting in my friend John’s basement with a group of friends.) But whether you’re in the same room or on different corners of the Earth, all that matters is the human connection.

    It’s just a ton of fun. Play Pathfinder or Candyland. Just play…

  • Top 10 Favorite Movies, right now… #Top10

    Top 10 Favorite Movies, right now… #Top10

    There’s a silly thing going around on Facebook at the moment (as if FB has any other type) where people are listing their ten favorite movies. My good friend Paul J. Anderson tagged me in it. He should know better – I don’t give out free samples. But, since he’s my brother from another mother and a founding member of the New Hong Kong Cavaliers (more to come on that soon…), I decided to post a list here.

    It’s nearly impossible to list my favorite films and stick to 10 or even 20, but I’ll try to narrow it down to what works at this moment. It shifts around all the time, although some never leave the list. In order to have any chance of variety, I’m limiting it to one film per franchise – otherwise this list would probably just be a bunch of Star Wars & 007 movies. It’s so very hard to do:

    • Are we picking desert island discs – things that we’d want if we could only keep 10 movies to last us the rest of our lives? Because I don’t need to see Clockers for the rest of my life, but it’s definitely one of my faves…
    • Are we picking 10 movies that made the most difference in our lives? Because Click‘s focus on work/life priorities and the story it borrowed from It’s A Wonderful Life resonated deeply with me and I’m not even sure it’s a good movie – I sure wouldn’t put it in my top 100. (Although the Jimmy Stewart film would definitely be in the top 25…)
    • Are we picking 10 movies that we feel tell people about us? Because then you feel obligated to include classic dramas and indie films to impress people. Makes me want to include The Searchers, Casablanca, Stranger Than Fiction and Dr. Strangelove.
    • Or are we just trying to be different and support films that are left-field choices or simply didn’t get the recognition they deserve? I want people to know about movies like Mumford and Hero, Erik the Viking and Young Guns II, movies that either flew under the radar or ones that look terrible but are actually great.
    • Then there are some that I simply can’t include because of fatigue; I may never watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail or This is Spinal Tap ever again, even though they are two of the greatest comedies of all time and used to be my favorites. Similarly, I don’t really need to include Jaws or Amadeus. Brilliant but I’ve seen them both dozens of times.
    • Often I think my top ten has to be made up of movies that make me smile – movies that always make me happy. If that’s the criteria, it means that I can’t include Chinatown even though it’s one of my very favorite films of all time, simply because I can’t say I put it on to feel good. Similarly I want to include Run, Fatboy, Run, which certainly isn’t one of my favorite all-time movies, but it’s making me disproportionately happy right now…
    • A lot of times a movie sticks with me because a scene or piece of dialogue keeps echoing in my brain, and that’s what I think I’m going to go with here…

    So here’s the list as of today – my top 10 favorite movies, mostly meaning ones that make me happy and have huge rewatch appeal – this list will necessarily lean towards comedies and feel-good adventures. Surprisingly, a lot of the movies and franchises I enjoy watching a ton of times aren’t on here at all, like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Alien, and none of the comic book movies. The first five are sacrosanct – the others are the ones that can lose their place in the pecking order from time to time…

    Top 10 Favorite Movies, at this particular moment… #Top10

    and their 140-character review: #140RVW

    1. Star Wars – has to top the list. It is my favorite movie of all time and always has been. The whole series makes me happy…
      A New Hope
      #140RVW: Most enjoyable epic of all time? Yes. It has everything; adventure, wonder, emotion, jawas. 2 hours; perfect length. Never to be equaled…
    2. WarGames – my 2nd favorite comfort-food movie (after SW). I never get tired of it.
      wargames_promo1
      #140RVW: Tight & clever thriller works just as well today, but as 80’s time capsules go, they don’t come better than this. Quality makes it a classic
    3. From Russia With Love – I love Bond movies. My top 5 shifts occasionally, but this is usually the one on top.
      From Russia With Love
      #140RVW: 2nd time around they get everything right. Based off maybe the best novel, it’s my favorite Bond film. Red Grant is a rare credible villain.
    4. Raiders of the Lost Ark – There are people who prefer other Indy movies. They are wrong…
      Raiders of the Lost Ark
      #140RVW: Maybe the greatest adventure film of all time (not counting ones with lightsabers). Lucas & Spielberg assemble a dream team of filmmakers…
    5. The Nightmare Before Christmas – I admit this is in here more for the music and design than the actual film…
      Nightmare Before Christmas
      #140RVW: Tim Burton’s passion project brought to life by Selick with incredible skill. Truly unique visual design. Elfman sings & scores his finest.

    6. Horse Feathers – not the best Marx Brothers film (that would be Duck Soup), but it’s my favorite for the “swordfish” gag, Chico yelling “peanuts” and all four brothers performing “Everyone Says I Love You”
      Horse Feathers
      #140RVW: Not greatest Marx Brothers film, but they were really comfortable on film at this point & it shows. Story really tight for once. #swordfish
    7. Leap of Faith – this will probably be the most surprising choice on the list, but I really love this movie, mostly because of the whip-smart dialogue and heart.
      Leap of Faith
      #140RVW: One of my all-time favorites; hear me out. Dialogue is smart & tight, cast delivers it well. They keep trying it on Broadway for a reason…
    8. Say Anything… – A sentimental pick. At any time this can be shifted by High Fidelity, About A Boy, Love Actually, or Amélie but I will always love this one best.
      Say Anything...
      #140RVW: The highwater mark for all teen movies. Crowe becomes a director, Cusack a superstar, “In Your Eyes” the soundtrack for love forever more…
    9. The Muppet Movie – impossible to watch this film and keep a smile off of your face. So far above standard kids’ fare it’s silly.
      The Muppet Movie
      #140RVW: At 6, I didn’t realize this was as good as kids movies were ever going to get; I just knew it was a great time. Still the high-water mark…
    10. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – besides being littered with great lines from the book, it’s a beautifully made movie that always works.
      The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
      #140RVW: Don’t say it takes too many liberties with the story. This is the movie that Douglas Adams wanted to make; he wrote most of the screenplay.

    Just outside the door and knocking:

    these next ten could knock off any of the bottom five at any given moment